Anonymous wrote:We’re getting a Bernedoodle for Christmas. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a puppy, and we’ve never had one with kids in the house. Kids are 7 and 11.

Anyone survived puppyhood recently? What do you wish you knew?

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Anonymous wrote:I sort of wish I'd known my goldendoodle would go from loving every new dog he met to snarling at them when he turned 5. It was an unwelcome surprise and very difficult.

That is unusual. Have you had him to the vet to check for sources of pain that he may be hiding? Joint issues, spinal issues and arthritis would be the first thing I'd look for.

Thanks for the reply. He's been checked and is physically in top condition, very healthy, well exercised, fed, routined. I think it's just a very unfortunate, though not totally unusual temperamental development (mostly poodle, 75%).

My bulldog did this - but it coincided with me being pregnant. He went from playing with every dog when we were outside to growling and barking at them, especially on leash when the kids were around.

It can be caused by early onset dementia as well as brain tumors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sort of wish I'd known my goldendoodle would go from loving every new dog he met to snarling at them when he turned 5. It was an unwelcome surprise and very difficult.

That is unusual. Have you had him to the vet to check for sources of pain that he may be hiding? Joint issues, spinal issues and arthritis would be the first thing I'd look for.

Thanks for the reply. He's been checked and is physically in top condition, very healthy, well exercised, fed, routined. I think it's just a very unfortunate, though not totally unusual temperamental development (mostly poodle, 75%).

My bulldog did this - but it coincided with me being pregnant. He went from playing with every dog when we were outside to growling and barking at them, especially on leash when the kids were around.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sort of wish I'd known my goldendoodle would go from loving every new dog he met to snarling at them when he turned 5. It was an unwelcome surprise and very difficult.

That is unusual. Have you had him to the vet to check for sources of pain that he may be hiding? Joint issues, spinal issues and arthritis would be the first thing I'd look for.

Thanks for the reply. He's been checked and is physically in top condition, very healthy, well exercised, fed, routined. I think it's just a very unfortunate, though not totally unusual temperamental development (mostly poodle, 75%).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sort of wish I'd known my goldendoodle would go from loving every new dog he met to snarling at them when he turned 5. It was an unwelcome surprise and very difficult.

That is unusual. Have you had him to the vet to check for sources of pain that he may be hiding? Joint issues, spinal issues and arthritis would be the first thing I'd look for.

Anonymous wrote:I sort of wish I'd known my goldendoodle would go from loving every new dog he met to snarling at them when he turned 5. It was an unwelcome surprise and very difficult.

Anonymous wrote:Be prepared for the stages of puppyhood.

Very young puppies (0-3 months): no awareness of body signals, need a lot of cuddling and reassurance, teething like crazy, struggle with even a split second left alone, need constant naps, need a lot of socialization

Young puppies (3-6 months): adult teeth coming in so they still bite and eat everything, need a lot of training, still have accidents in the house occasionally, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, need set routine with lots of naps, need a lot of,socialization

Adolescent puppies (6-18 months): some regression in listening skills, lots of testing limits, still chewing everything, need set routine with structured nap times, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, require a lot of patience because they're testing limits so often, should have very few potty accidents anymore, often go through a very cuddly stage again, need a lot of socialization


Other advice:
1. Have a lot of different types of toys (soft toys, balls, bones, puzzles, etc.), and rotate them so your puppy is never bored.

2. Only use a bowl for water. For food, feed your puppy from toys (treat-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or puzzle feeders) that will slow down the eating, but will also provide mental stimulation.

3. Set a routine so the puppy knows exactly what to expect. Naps at the same time of day, feed at the same time of day, playtime and walks at the same time, etc.

4. Crate train. Don't ever use the crate as punishment. It should be the dog's safe spot.

5. Invest in baby gates to keep the puppy contained to certain areas at a time.

6. Have the entire family go to training and to commit to consistency with the puppy.

7. Use a recovery suit after spaying or neutering. It's superior to a plastic, soft, or inflatable ecollar.

8. Enjoy! Having a puppy is exhausting, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Cuddle that baby. Enjoy his/her milestones. Relish in taking naps together. Have fun!

Anonymous wrote:Be prepared for the stages of puppyhood.

Very young puppies (0-3 months): no awareness of body signals, need a lot of cuddling and reassurance, teething like crazy, struggle with even a split second left alone, need constant naps, need a lot of socialization

Young puppies (3-6 months): adult teeth coming in so they still bite and eat everything, need a lot of training, still have accidents in the house occasionally, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, need set routine with lots of naps, need a lot of,socialization

Adolescent puppies (6-18 months): some regression in listening skills, lots of testing limits, still chewing everything, need set routine with structured nap times, need constant exercise and mental stimulation, require a lot of patience because they're testing limits so often, should have very few potty accidents anymore, often go through a very cuddly stage again, need a lot of socialization


Other advice:
1. Have a lot of different types of toys (soft toys, balls, bones, puzzles, etc.), and rotate them so your puppy is never bored.

2. Only use a bowl for water. For food, feed your puppy from toys (treat-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or puzzle feeders) that will slow down the eating, but will also provide mental stimulation.

3. Set a routine so the puppy knows exactly what to expect. Naps at the same time of day, feed at the same time of day, playtime and walks at the same time, etc.

4. Crate train. Don't ever use the crate as punishment. It should be the dog's safe spot.

5. Invest in baby gates to keep the puppy contained to certain areas at a time.

6. Have the entire family go to training and to commit to consistency with the puppy.

7. Use a recovery suit after spaying or neutering. It's superior to a plastic, soft, or inflatable ecollar.

8. Enjoy! Having a puppy is exhausting, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Cuddle that baby. Enjoy his/her milestones. Relish in taking naps together. Have fun!